Bill Pullman Says 'Independence Day 2' Could Possibly Happen Without Will Smith

By
Kevin Jagernauth
|
The PlaylistJanuary 9, 2013 at 4:16PM

We're nine days into 2013, so might as well put in the annual "Independence Day" sequel rumors. For the past few years, a followup to the blockbuster July 4th hit has been talked about, without anything concrete ever actually happening. Roland Emmerich has long said he would be game, but the sticking point seems to be Will Smith, who Fox apparently wants to sign off on everything before shooting begins, so that the production fiasco that accompanied "Men In Black 3" doesn't replicate here. But what if Big Willie doesn't want to do it? No problem.

We're nine days into 2013, so might as well put in the annual "Independence Day" sequel rumors. For the past few years, a followup to the blockbuster July 4th hit has been talked about, without anything concrete ever actually happening. Roland Emmerich has long said he would be game, but the sticking point seems to be Will Smith, who Foxapparently wants to sign off on everything before shooting begins, so that the production fiasco that accompanied "Men In Black 3" doesn't replicate here. But what if Big Willie doesn't want to do it? No problem.

Crave recently caught up with Bill Pullman, aka President Thomas J. Whitmore, who is currently doing rounds for his new White House role in the NBC comedy "1600 Penn." And according to the actor -- who confirmed there's a role for him in the followup -- there may be a plan in place should the filmmakers be unable to secure Jaden Smith's Dad.

“The Will Smith part of it may be ongoing but I think there’s strategies for both," Pullman said. "I like what I have to do in both of them. I’m not in an old age home in a wheelchair being wheeled out for one more moment. It’s a very interesting conception of what happens to Whitmore between then and when it picks back up.”

Of course if/when this happens we'll have to see, but Pullman has been assured that any production on "Independence Day 2" would work around his "1600 Penn" schedule (provided it gets renewed, becuase lord, it looks pretty terrible).

So, should Fox even bother if Will Smith won't come back? For this writer, unless Jeff Goldbum is back too...NO SALE.